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TR: The Phoenix...
Looks like Indian Summer is under way, with temps moving back into the mid-70s for the next few days, at least. *Real* hard to focus at work when one could be out doing better things, like fishing, for instance. Really wanted to cut out early, right after lunch, but the best I could manage was to leave an hour early. Destination for the excursion was Velva Sprotsman's Dam. Kevin Vang pointed out an article about a month ago about the draining and renovation ND G&F had been doing out there. In the article, I learned the place is actually spring-fed, and that water levels a month out from draining were returning to something resembling normal. Of course, the question sprang to mind as to whether any fish had survived the severe drawdown during the hottest part of the year. Had planned to get away at my earliest opportunity to see what the situation was. Well, it'd been over a month since I saw the article, and high time to make the trip! :-) Arrived on scene about 3:45. Water level was *much* improved vs. the last time I was there, and only has about 18" more to go to reach pre-drain levels. There was still some bare spots where they had worked, but the brush overgrowth situation on the NW side had been *dramatically* improved. Strung up the 7 wt., due to the stiff NW breeze, and walked down to the water. It's amazing how nature can regenerate things in a fairly short period of time. The water was gin-clear, and plant life had regrown on the bottom and amongst the rocks. Bugs were hatching, and I saw some small black caddis laying eggs. Indeed, the hatch was dimpling the surface all over the quiet water spots. However, I wasn't seeing any fish rising or crusing. Figured the recent cold spell had sent them deep. With that in mind, I decided to prospect with a #12 amber, glass bead bodied scud. A sizeable chunk, and it sank like a stone. Would start by the car (which I parked at the NW corner of the water) and run and gun down the bank to the south until I either contacted fish, or got to the far end. Started casting, let the fly sink for a minute or so, so that I was sure I was on/near bottom, and slow-stripped it back. Could feel the scud tick the bottom weeds and such. Would make a cast or three in one spot, then move ~5 yards down and try again. Was beginning to wonder after I'd worked about 60 yards down the bank without any indication of a fish. Kept watching the bugs come off, and wondered why there were no fish rising. Hope of anything left, or a visit from the G&F fishmobile, started to fade... Got down to where a point juts out into the water, which marked the end of the area they cleaned the brush and cattails out of. Decided to stop here and work the area more thuroughly. Stripped mindlessly along, when I felt a tug... Set the hook, and rapidly brought a *small* fish to the surface, just in time for the LDR. :-/ Well, at least there's *something* here... Worked the area some more, and before too many casts, I had another strike, and this time I brought a 6" largemouth to hand. The streak lives!!! :-) Can't remember when I was quite so happy to hook a tiddler bass! Kept at it in the area, and hooked three more largemouth of about the same size, two of which I landed. This was *sweet*! Wondered if these were survivours, or if the fishmobile had dropped them off. Also wondered where the trout were. Were there any left at all? Watched five rooster pheasants fly by, kicked up from somewhere to the SW of where I was. Nice sight! After about 5-6 unsuccessful casts, I figured I'd fished the spot out for the moment. Walked up and around the point, and on past the little side bay, which was too choked with brush and cattails to work aggressively. Went around to the point at the south end of this little bay, where I could get right down to the water (thanks to the lower levels). Started in here, and kept working south down the bank. Shortly contacted fish again. :-) Pulled several more little bass from the next 20 yards of bank. Stopped at a spot where I'd hooked three small bass in four casts. Seemed like there was a school of them, hugging the bottom. Made a couple unsuccessful casts, but then, as I stripped, I felt a sharp tug, set the hook, and watched as the rod bent sharply! :-) Whoa! This feels like a *much* better brand of fish... :-) Worked the fish up toward the surface, and see that it's a pretty fair sized bass! :-) The fight is on for a couple minutes before the fish resigns, and I bring it to hand. 14" of fat female largemouth. Largest bass I've taken this year on that water. :-) Indeed, from what I know of the place, they don't get a *whole* lot bigger than this. The fish was admired briefly, and gently returned, as befits a trophy fish. :-) There were some submerged tree branches on my side of the water, further down the bank, and a 10 yard advance from where I'd hooked the big one was now in order. Brought a rash of 6" bass (I was rather hoping I'd find a twin to the 14" fish, or perhaps contact a nice brown... :-). Had some fairly fast action on the tiddlers for a bit. Things slowed down, the time was fast approaching to leave, but it was hard to tear myself away. :-) Finally, I got hung on the bottom and had to break the scud that had served so well off. Guess that was the fishing gods' way of telling me it was enough for one day. As I was reeling up, I saw a large fish leap clear of the water out of the corner of my eye and splash back like a large rock. Did not see what it was. Reeled up, clambered up the steep bank to the top and walked back to the vehicle. Admired what was left of the fall colours, felt the warmth of the setting sun and the breeze, and was glad I had a chance to get away for a while. Life *is* good! Total was 15 hooked, 11 landed, and one big fish in a bit under two hours. Can't argue with that! :-) At any rate, it was nice to visit home water that I thought would be a long time coming back from the renovation project and have it nearly back to normal. Never did find any trout though, which was a bit disheartening, but then again I can't say for sure that there *aren't* any left in the place. :-) Going to try to pop out weekly until freeze-up and see what I can discover... :-) Todd (remove hook to reply) |
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The Phoenix...
"Todd Enders" wrote in message ... snip Life *is* good! It sure is. Thanks for the report/update...I always enjoy your posts. I'm glad to read that your pond is coming back so quickly, too. Cheers, Bill |
#3
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The Phoenix...
In Bill Mason wrote:
It sure is. Thanks for the report/update...I always enjoy your posts. I'm glad to read that your pond is coming back so quickly, too. Indeed, it was a spirit-lifting moment, coming back down that road and seeing things looking almost like they had back in early June (modulo the change in season). Always glad to hear someone appreciates my ramblings about the highs and lows of a mildly tetched fly guy out on his rounds. :-) The habitat improvements will certainly pay off down the road. G&F dredged out ~1,100 cubic yards of silt as part of the project, and are working with the landowner upstream of the dam to curb some of the excess nutrient inflow as well, to cut down on algae blooms. Now, if they could just get people to take their trash back out with them, not leave wads of mono bankside, etc... :-/ For a seven acre lake, the place has already demonstrated potential to grow trophy trout. The improvements can only make that better. :-) I'm also rather hoping G&F will soon get some trout back in there before the balance gets skewed more toward bass (not that I have anything against bass, mind you! :-). The mix is nice, since it gives one good fishing all season -- trout when the water is cool, bass when things warm up and the trout go deep. Also hope they keep browns in the stocking mix, as they seem more inclined to grow to trophy size. The rainbows seem to get fished out pretty quick in the spring. We shall see. Meanwhile, I've got until Nov. 1 before the place closes, and weather permitting, I'll be probing the remnants... :-) Todd (remove hook to reply) |
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